Knockdown bier.



K Patentedoct. 2a, |902. w. M. BANKIN. Knncxnown man.

(Application led Apr. 30, 1902.)

Y (No I Iodel.)

UNITED STATES 'PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM M. R'ANKINgoE RICHMOND, VIRGINIA.

KNOCKDOW'N BIER.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 712,152, dated October 28, -1 902. I

Application iiled April 30, 1902. Serial No. 105,257. (No model.)

To all whom t may oon/cern,.- l

Be it known that l, WILLIAM M. RANKIN,a citizen of the United States, residing at Richmond, in the county of Henrico and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Biers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in biers; and it has for its object, among others, to provide a simple and cheap construction of knockdown bier whereby the same may be readily set up in desired position and when not in use occupying but minimum space. It is so constructed as to be rotatable and is provided with means whereby the casket may be firmly held against all possibility of displacement. j

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear, and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with the numerals of reference marked thereon, form a part of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 is a perspective viewshowing the bier as in use with the portion of the coffin broken away. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the rotatable support removed. Fig. 3 is a vertical section through Fig. 1. elevation of one of the longitudinal supports removed. l

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in the several views.

Referring now to the details of the drawings, 1 designates a support or stand of any suitable material and form, having at the upper portion a plate or top 2, which is preferably, though not necessarily, seated ina recess 3 in the top 4 of the support or stand, with its upper face flush with the upper face of said top portion, so as to leave a perfectlysmooth surface, over which are designed to travel the rollers, which will be hereinafter described.

5 is a hub, from which project the radial arms 6, preferably four in number, as shown, and each of these arms is provided near its outer end with a slot or notch 7, which is disposed angularly, as shown. Each of these arms is provided upon its under face with a roller 8 of suitable construction, which arel Fig. 4 is an` adapted to travel upon the plate 2, so that the member comprising the hub 5 andarm 6 may beeasily rotated to bring the casket in any desired position.

The hub 5 is provided with an axial bore 9, which is beveled and countersunk at its upper end, as seen at 10 in Fig. 3, and through this hub passes a screw-bolt 11, the head of which is countersunk in the said tapered portion of the bore of the hub, so that its outer face will be flush with the outer face of the hub, and this screw-threaded bolt passes through the plate 2 and the top4and receives upon its under side a nut orits equivalent 12, a washer 13 being preferably interposed between said nut and-the under face of the top 4 of the stand or support.

14 represents the longitudinal rails or supports,which are preferably tapered from their center portion toward their ends, as seen at Fig. 4,and these rails or supports are provided with slots or notches 15, which are disposed angularl y, as seen best in Fig. 4, so that when the said rails or supports are placed in position and engaged in the notches 7 of the arms 6 the parts will be interlocked'and held-firmly against the tendency to become separated. The notches in the arms 6 and those in the rails 14 extend substantially half way through the said members, so that when therails are in position their upper face will be flush with the upper face of the rail 6.

The rails 14 are provided with suitable pins or projections 16 near their ends, which are adapted to embed themselves in the bottom of the casket when the same is placed thereon, so as to avoid all danger of movement of the casket either longitudinally or transversely 9o on the bier.

The bier can be easily rotated, as will be readily understood, and when the rails 14 are placed in position, with their notches coinciding with the arms 6, a strong rigid bier is provided. By removing the rails or supports 14 and removing the screw 12 the parts may be separated and stored in a convenient place, where they will occupy but little room.

From the above it will be seen that I have provided a novel, cheap, convenient, and efficient form of bier, and while the structural embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed is what at the present time is consid IOO ered preferable it is evident that the same is subject to changes, Variations, and modifications Without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages, and I therefore do not intend to restrict myself to the details of construction herein disclosed, but reserve the right to lnake such changes, Variations, and modifications as come properly Within the scope of the protection prayed.

What is claimed as newr is- 1. A knockdown bier comprising a hub with radial arms having notches, and supporting-rails having notches, and adapted to interlock With those of the arms, as set forth.

2. A knockdown bier comprising a hub with radial arms having notches, and supporting-rails having notches, and adapted to interlock with those of the arms, and rollers carried by said arms.

3. A rotatable knockdown bier comprising a stand and plate thereon, a head rotatably mounted on said plate and stand, and having radial arms with notches, a removable pivot for said hub, and supporting-rails detachably engaged with the notches of said arms.

4. A rotatable knockdown bier comprising a stand and plate thereon, a hub rotatably mounted on said plate and stand, and having radial arms with notches, a removable pivot for said hub, and supporting-rails detachably engaged with the notches of said arms, and projections on the upper surfaces of said rails.

In testimony whereof I ailx my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

WILLIAM M. RANKIN. Witnesses:

ELLEN V. RANKIN, ALEX. STUART GIBSON. 

